RAF Waddington Air Show
Its been a long time since I went to watch planes tearing across the skies. I was invited by a good friend, another Chris, up to Lincoln to watch the self proclaimed "Premier Aviation Spectacular!"
The day started out a little cloudy but promised to be a perfect day for watching the flying machines perform for us. We decided to meet up by Lincoln railway station and travel in convoy to the air show. As we entered Chris got singled out for a car search, just incase he was trying to bring anything contraband onto the active base [he probably got picked on due to his MG ZR, boy racers always cause trouble].
On entering the base we were greeted by one of the static displays including the massive Nimrods and intimidating Apache attack helicopters. These mighty machines look fearsome ever when sitting quietly on the tarmac. Approaching the main runway to find a decent vantage point to view the fun we managed to catch a couple of the Nimrods doing their flybys. All the displays were as expected very impressive, you couldn't help but appreciate the skills involved in not only flying multi-million pound machinery but being able to make them manoeuvre so gracefully.
The modern day jets were, not surprisingly, very loud and very very fast when they performed their displays design to impress the crowds with their power. The noise of the Tornado on after burner is one you can only really understand when standing directly behind the aircraft as it rockets up through the sky. The Typhoon has similar affects on the crowd and due to its delta wing design looks fast even when slowly drifting past.
The British Harrier once again impressed all with its abilities to hover and fly backwards, and of course the every present Red Arrows wowed the crowds with their display of intricate flying and near misses. The surprise of the show had to be the helicopter displays, from the heavy thud of the Chinook to the light swish of the Puma. Their ability to move in the air defied all principles of flight, their pilots making them dance both solo and in groups, with the Lynx breaking all the laws of flight by performing loop-the-loops till the pilot had to feel ill.
The star of the show had to be the legendary Lancaster and accompanied by the Spitfire and Hurricane. These WW2 era flying machines were graceful and majestic, not being able to manoeuvre as tightly or fast as the modern planes, they still showed the crowds the craft that helped bring victory to Europe over 60 years ago.
With the day drawing on to a close we were feeling we had well and truly got our monies worth from the day and after browsing the many stalls picked up some mementos, we soon realized how glorious the day had been with a slight burning sensation coming across our faces and arms, but we didn't mind as a great day was had by all. Bring on next year!
Chris and Chris posing in front of a couple of the static display helicopters slightly showing the signs of the midday sun but clearly having a good time.
© Chris Dodd 2006-2008: Most Rights Reserved.